Matthew Boyle at The Daily Caller, who has been relentless in reporting on Eric Holder and the Obama administration's lack of competence and accountability over the Fast and Furious scandal, reports now that 142 House Democrats, in true bipartisan fashion with House Republicans, threw their support behind an amendment which prevents the Department of Justice from using taxpayer funds to lie to Congress.
Chaffetz pitched House Democrats in a feisty House floor speech before the vote to join him in demanding accountability. He argued that Attorney General Eric Holder’s failure to comply with the Fast and Furious congressional subpoena is anything but a partisan political fight. He said it’s an issue of separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches, and that all Americans “should be embarrassed by what’s happening in Fast and Furious.”
“If we get stonewalling on the other side of the aisle, without your support, we will do a disservice to this country, we will do a disservice to this body and we will not get to the truth,” Chaffetz said on the House floor on Wednesday. “I promise you, when that becomes a Republican president, I will stand with you and demand the openness and transparency that this body deserves. I’ve done it; I’ve challenged my own party, I have the guts, I have the fortitude to do the right thing.”
Chaffetz challenged the House Democrats to come forward and help him, House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa and others: “This is the test of principle, this is the test of integrity, and when you can’t stand up and take on your own party, that’s a lack of guts,” Chaffetz said. “This Congress has got to stand up for itself and demand that these documents be released.”
In the end, when the House voted, Chaffetz got his bipartisan support.
The final vote was 381 to 41, roll call here.